X-amining X-Force #67

"Stand-Off"

June 1997

In a Nutshell

Dani Moonstar reveals she's a double agent working for SHIELD

Writer: John Francis Moore
Penciler: Adam Pollina
Inker: Mark Morales
Letterer: Richard Starkings, Comicraft & KF
Colorist: The Bucce

Editor: Mark Powers
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Under the direction of their new leader, Wildside, the Mutant Liberation Front have stormed the Wakeman Oncological Research Center and taken hostages, believing it is secretly working to destroy mutants. Their attack has garnered the attention of both the national media and Operation: Zero Tolerance, prompting to Locus to suggest they cut their losses and get out. When Wildside disagrees, Locus quits, teleporting herself away and stranding her teammates inside. Watching the coverage on TV, Moonstar spots members of X-Force in the crowd outside, disguised as members of the media, and suggests to Wildside they invite reporters in for an interview. He agrees, allowing Domino, Siryn and Sunspot to get clearance from Operation: Zero Tolerance to go inside. However, the OZT commander, Ekatarina Gryaznova, is aware of the ruse, and quickly captures Meltdown, Rictor and Shatterstar, who are monitoring their teammates from the news van. At the X-Mansion, Cable tends to Caliban and discusses his situation with Archangel. Inside, Dragoness recognizes X-Force, and a fight breaks out, which Moonstar ends when she reveals that she's been an agent of SHIELD since she joined the MLF. Just then, three of the hostages transform into the half human, half robot Prime Sentinels. Back at the X-Mansion, Ozymandias appears before a sleeping Caliban, declaring it will be the last night he sleeps in that bed, as a storm is gathering. 

X-amining X-Force #66

"Tragic Kingdom"

May 1997

In a Nutshell

X-Force chases after Risque in search of Warpath. 

Writer: John Francis Moore
Penciler: Adam Pollina
Inker: Mark Morales
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Marie Javins & Team Bucce

Editors: Mark Powers
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Plot

Having delivered Warpath to Sledge, Risque races through the Wackyworld theme park, pursued by X-Force, who want to know what she did to their teammate. Meanwhile, Domino is accosted at JFK airport by federal agents. Back in Wackyworld, Caliban catches up to Risque, but then experiences another seizure and collapses. Risque stops to help him, which allows the rest of X-Force to catch up. In Detroit, Warpath awakens and meets Sledge, who tells him he needs a favor. In exchange, he offers Warpath information that will lead to the truth about the massacre of his tribe. Later, after Risque brings X-Force to Sledge, Warpath tells them everything is under control, but leaves Risque behind when the team departs. Meanwhile, Domino is brought before SHIELD commander GW Bridge, who tells her he needs her help extracting an undercover agent: Dani Moonstar! 

X-amining X-Force #65

"Lower East Side Story"

April 1997

In a Nutshell

Adam Pollina returns as Warpath & Risque are attacked by Blob & Mimic!

Writer: John Francis Moore
Penciler: Adam Pollina
Inker: Mark Morales
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist: Marie Javins

Separations: Team Bucce

Editor: Mark Powers
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Harras

Previously, in X-Force...

Plot

Risque visits Warpath at the X-Mansion, before the pair head into New York City, much to Siryn's dismay. As Warpath probes an evasive Risque for more information about her past, they arrive at a club in the East Village owned by a friend of Risque's. Inside, Warpath tries to get more info about Risque from her various acquaintances. Back at the X-Mansion, Siryn & Shatterstar practice in the Danger Room before being distracted by the sound of piano music. They follow it to find Caliban mysteriously playing like a virtuoso; as the rest of the team gathers around him, he suddenly has a seizure and collapses. Back at the club, Risque worries that she's getting too close to Warpath, just as she's approached by her mysterious boss, who tells her two others have arrived to finish the job she started. Just then, Blob and Mimic attack the club, trying to capture Warpath. He and Risque manage to fight off Blob & Mimir, but Warpath is angry about her obvious connection to them. She takes him to an apartment nearby. After Warpath assures her he'll stick by her as long as she's honest with him, she offers him a drink laced with a tranquillizer that knocks him out, thereby completing her mission.